Say Goodbye to Blockbuster in 2011

[Bojangles]

Blockbuster was once the mecca of rentals. While indie metropolitan stores may have always reigned supreme in terms of stock and scope, Blockbuster was the "it" locale for the rest of the country. It wasn't so long ago when stores would be packed on a Friday evening as people rushed to grab the new releases, and shelves stocked sure-to-be-there bets -- films that weren't guaranteed because no one was going to the store, but because they'd have huge piles of discs.

Now Blockbuster is a movie ghost town. After the onslaught of Netflix and Redbox, the end has been near for a while. The company has managed to hold on, just barely, but financial types are now expecting the end to come in 2011.

Blockbuster is near the top of 24/7 Wall St's new list of brands expected to disappear by the end of 2011. The company is currently considering Chapter 11, and it lost another $65 million last quarter. 6,000 stores are still left, but 24/7 believes that the only life left in the company is the kiosk/delivery rental methods. "Its brick-and-mortar business is dead."

It just goes to show you how much of any movie business relies on the casual moviegoer, not the eager-to-watch-everything cinephile. I always, and wrongly, thought that video stores would stay around for the increased options, the older films, and the immediacy the system awarded. You wouldn't have to plan a night in with friends, they could just head to the local store with you and decide between the old and the new.

With streaming, members were offered the immediacy mail could never provide, popping the last piece into Blockbuster's death puzzle. Netflix-free Canada might have to wait for Blockbuster's death knell to prod zip.ca to rival the 'flix in title options and streaming, but chances are that in the U.S., most folks won't really feel the impact of Blockbuster's death. All the company can hope for is a nice influx of buyers when all of their dvds hit the 5-for-$20 bin.

Source: http://www.cinematical.com/2010/07/13/sa...r-in-2011/

[mrblue]

Didn't Blockbuster just by out Hollywood Video? Because that video store is closing now.

[HuntingHumans]

Doesn't bother me at all. Their rentals are overpriced anyway. Family Video is the place to go for cheaper rentals.

[Dr. Briggs]

That sucks. My girlfriend has no Internet access and pretty much depends on Blockbuster for her entertainment needs!

Also, they have great prices on used movies!

[HuntingHumans]

^ Has she considered netflix?

[Bojangles]

The Watch Instantly feature on Netflix is bad ass. I have it and it's worth the small amount of money. Hell, I never have them physically send me a disk.

[CarolinePar]

am I the only one who likes the library style of walking up and down rows as a way to decide..?
now I'll have to restrain myself to doing it during grocery shopping ;( :reddisgust:

[FreddysFingers]

I am a little sadden by this. Blockbuster and Hollywood Video was Mecca for obscure horror nuts like me, whose libraries didn't have gory stuff. I used to go there all the time and they provided me with such movies likes Head of the Family, Evil Ed, Terror Toons, The Item and Python. All movies that I still remember to this day.

[Bojangles]

I was out about a week ago and I saw another movie place closing its doors. I can't remember the name of it, but they were having a 50% off sale. I should have stopped in, but I wasn't in a very good mood that day, so I didn't.

[CarolinePar]

another reason I liked it was for the movie-quality merchandise without having to pay S&H...
and without going on a rant some of the snacks were good too that seemed that only Blockbuster or a tip to the theatre would make taste good

[Daylight Yet Unseen]

what is Mecca? isn't that like a holy city or something? either way i havent been to Blockbuster in like, 6-7 years so this doesnt bother me.

[NicoleMayCanaday]

All Hollywood Video stores closed in So Cal/San Diego...there are a few left in northern CA. Where HV once stood, is now a Bank of America. Luckily I nabbed a copy of Pan's Labyrinth for cheap before they closed for good.

For those of you who have not tried netflix, WTF are you waiting for??? They have horror galore...... I should get paid to be their spokesperson.... paid in horror.

[NicoleMayCanaday]

am I the only one who likes the library style of walking up and down rows as a way to decide..?
now I'll have to restrain myself to doing it during grocery shopping ;( :reddisgust:

I'm all about ease aka laziness. Clicking a mouse is much easier then walking aisles. Especially when you have to walk by a couple playing grab @ss and kissy face trying to decide what movie they want to watch. BLAH! GET A ROOM!

[Dr. Briggs]

^ Has she considered netflix?

Like I said: No internet access :/

@Daylight yet Unseen: Yep. It's tradition for all Muslims to visit before they die.

[CarolinePar]

I'm all about ease aka laziness. Clicking a mouse is much easier then walking aisles. Especially when you have to walk by a couple playing grab @ss and kissy face trying to decide what movie they want to watch. BLAH! GET A ROOM!

I was at a resort once when this couple got all smoochy by the swimsuits
- her little brother (?) came in and hosed (liittle gun big reserve) them off with a water gun

the clerk gave the kid a free candy while most of us applauded exdev:

[NicoleMayCanaday]

I was at a resort once when this couple got all smoochy by the swimsuits
- her little brother (?) came in and hosed (liittle gun big reserve) them off with a water gun

the clerk gave the kid a free candy while most of us applauded exdev:

I love that story. Here is a smiley reenactment.....

:lovey:
:claaaap:

[CarolinePar]

exdev: niiiiiiiiice

[Friday The 13th]

Who gives a shit? Stores come and go.... but Wal-Mart STAYS! mauahahahaha

[FreddysFingers]

Our Blockbuster had some of the best and most obscure horror movies. They even sold Act II popcorn.

[NicoleMayCanaday]

Our Blockbuster had some of the best and most obscure horror movies. They even sold Act II popcorn.

Weeeeeuuu! Act II popcorn, fancy. I luv m&ms in my popcorn. Mmmmmm popcorn....:drool5: